Review: EGLIPS SUPER SLIM AUTO LONG EYELINER

I liked the idea of slim pencil eyeliner that I don't need to sharpen (my lazy knows no bounds) so I decided to try these new eyeliners from EGLIPS.
EGLIPS is an affordable Korean brand and I rather liked their products in the past. I bought these eyeliners at beautynetkorea.com for $4.59.  As I said it is very affordable.

Claims for Superslim Auto Long Eyeliner 0.12 g:
drys quickly - true
waterproof - true
does not smudge - true
adheres and coats the surface of the eye line with less smearing - true for one of the colours I purchased

Eyeliners come in nicely designed plastic twist up pencil in the colour of the eyeliner so it is easy to pick one you want to use. Twist up mechanism is nice and smooth and it can be twisted up and down.
I bought colours  #S2 Smokey Brown and #S5 Coral Attack. Both colours swatched nicely on my hand and dried really quickly and would not budge until removed with cleansing oil.
So far things were going great. Now, Smokey Brown is a nice eyeliner that goes on smooth with a thin line. It did not tug on my eyelid although it is a bit dryer then liners I am used to.
 Coral Attack is a different story, it leaves no colour on the eyelid or under eye at all. I even tried pressing harder (which you shouldn't do) but nothing, no colour. Besides that the pencil itself crumbled several times while using it,although I did not twist up more than recommended 1 mm. I don't know if it is the formulation for this colour or I got a dud one, but it is pretty horrible.
Funny thing is Coral Attack swatched nicer on hand than Smokey Brown but on the eye nothing.

My thoughts:
Superslim Auto Long Eyeliner in Smokey Brown is a nice eyeliner that I will happily use up.
Superslim Auto Long Eyeliner In Coral Attack is horrible, it would have been chucked into bin but I figured I could use it to draw cat nose and whiskers on my daughters face for her upcoming costume party. So not a total waste but it cannot be used as an eyeliner for sure.

Actives - giving your skin a workout with the help of AHA, BHA, Vitamin C and Retinol

You got your skin routine down. You cleanse and tone, hydrate in layers and seal it all with an occlusive. You wear sunscreen all the time. Your skin is hydrated, moisturized, and softened basically you have a good skin routine down.
Now it is time to introduce the real game changers: actives.  The ones that make the actual difference.
So what are actives?
Dictionary says: Components of a chemical product which help directly in achieving its performance objectives.
 Basically they are the ingredients that deliver on promised. They effectively target and treat various skin issues from acne to anti ageing. Actives provide chemical exfoliation, reduce hyper pigmentation, prevent and help combat acne and fight signs of ageing in the form of cell renewal and boosting of collagen production.  Now many skincare products can have active ingredients but these are most effective when applied directly after cleansing. To get the most out of actives they need to be formulated in a concentration and pH environment that will allow them to be most effective.  There are many actives but I will go here through the most popular and frequently used ones which have in common their ability to increase skin turnover. Only thing left for you is to decide what are your skin goals and pick the right actives to help you get there.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid is a wonderful active, a real brightening and anti-aging powerhouse but a bit of a bitchy princess in a sense that it needs things to be perfect for it to work and to keep. It is a water-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant. It helps fight photo aging and fights free radicals, some of the main reasons for skin ageing. Topical application of vitamin c if formulated right can help with lightening of hyperpigmentation and acne scars and smoothing of skin roughness as Vitamin c is an exfoliant as well. Applied under sunscreen it will increase your sun protection, but to do all that it needs to be formulated with pH of 3.5 or lower to be able to enter the skin (source). Such low pH can make use of vitamin c a bit of an unpleasant experience for people with sensitive skin. So it is good to start slowly with introducing it into your routine.

However, as all antioxidants, vitamin C is vulnerable to destabilizing when exposed to heat, air and light. That means it should be packed in an opaque air restrictive container and kept out of heat and light. I keep mine in the fridge. You will know your vitamin C has oxidised (gone bad) when it changes colour to darker yellow or even brown.

 AHA

Now i wrote a huge post about AHA's and you can read it here. B ut to summarise it alpha hydroxy acids are applied to the skin for their moisturizing and exfoliating properties, for treating acne and improving the appearance of acne scars, for improving the appearance of photo-aged skin, and firming and smoothing skin. They are used mainly as chemical exfoliators but also as humectant moisturizers (AHAs attract water to skin).

AHAs exfoliate the skin by promoting keratolysis. Keratolysis is the process of breaking down the layer of dead skin cells that make up the outer layer of the skin. Result is a thinner layer of dead skin cells, which gives a brighter, younger-looking appearance to the skin.

AHA is water soluble, pH sensitive product which means that it is more effective in an acidic product with a low pH. The higher the pH, the less effective it is. Effective AHA product should have pH of less than 4, and AHA concentration of 4-10%.

 BHA

Beta Hydroxy Acid is oil soluble acid and same as AHA it can penetrate the skin surface and break down dead skin cells and as such it improves the look of skin by resurfacing it. Most frequent BHA in use is salicylic acid.  And unlike AHA because it is oil soluble, BHA can also penetrate into pores clogged with sebum. So AHA is usually recommended to people with dry skin and ageing skin and BHA to people suffering with clogged pores. Effective BHA product should have a pH of less than 3.5, and BHA concentration of 1-2%.

 Retinol

Retinol is a form of vitamin A known for its cell communicating ability. Other forms of vitamin A in skincare are usually issued by prescription as acne treatment like Accutane. Retinol can help improve fine lines and wrinkles, skin roughness and dullness, skin firmness, pigmentation from age spots and acne. Retinol increases the amount of collagen in skin by inactivating enzymes that break down collagen. Retinol also increases cell turnover (replacement of old cells with new) and as an antioxidant it fights free radicals. Unlike vitamin C, AHA or BHA, retinol needs higher pH (5.5-6). The best thing would be not to use it at the same time as other pH dependent actives or if you have patience (I don't) leave enough time after using a low pH product for skin to go back to its normal pH level before using retinol.

What all of these have in common is that they make skin more sensitive to sun. So to make sure that all the good you did with these actives is not reversed by sun damage wear sunscreen all the time. 

Tint my lips: Oil tints

It's been I think two years (my sense of time sucks) since oil tints became a thing when YSL came out with  Volupte Tint in Oil and it became really popular. It did not take long for Korean brands to come up with their version of a formula that was so much more affordable and dare I say it, in some aspects even improved. Point of oil tints is to provide moisture and nourishment to lips with a subtle tint. In a sense a blend of decorative and beneficial. They are great for gloss lovers or people with dry lips as they are moisturizing and shiny without being sticky. Those who do not like that glossy look these are not for you.

YSL Volupte Tint-in-Oil in No. 5, the SAEM Eco Soul Tint in Oil in PK02 Bad Coral and PP01 Wild Berry, Skinfood Vita Color Tint Lip Oil in RE01

Swatches of 1.Skinfood Vita Color Tint Lip Oil in RE01 Cranberry Jam; 2. the SAEM Eco Soul Tint in Oil in PP01 Wild Berry; 3. YSL Volupte Tint-in-Oil in No.5, 4. the SAEM Eco Soul Tint in Oil in PK02 Coral. For some reason  tint they leave behind is much more intensive on lips than on arm swatches. 

1. Skinfood Vita Color Tint Lip Oil in RE01 in Cranberry Jam

The packaging looks nice a shiny platinum colored tube (that does not photograph well)  with writing but feels a bit cheap and flimsy. It is very moisturizing and pleasant on the lips. I have the darkest colour in the line that leaves an almost fuchsia like stain on the lips. Like all lip oils if you eat and drink they will be gone but if let alone they can go for several hours before losing their glossy shine and leaving a tint. Available for purchase in IBB store. It is very affordable (cca $8.50)

I could not find an ingredient list for this products so I have no idea what oils were used in it.

2. and 4. the SAEM Eco Soul Tint in Oil PP01 Wild Berry and PK02 Bad Coral 

My favorite oil tint. it has the least fancy packaging but it is what is inside that counts. Very moisturising and lightweight products that looks like gloss but it is not sticky or gloopy. It has a better pigmentation than YSL and leaves a nice subtle pink stain behind. Bad Coral color is perfect daytime lip for school or workplace. Available for purchase on Jolse. It is very affordable (cca $8.50)

Oils used in this product: macademia, jojoba, apricot, carthamus and borage oil.

3. YSL Volupte Tint-in-Oil in No. 5 Cherry My Cherie

The original tint in oil. This is a luxury product no doubt about it. From its beautiful packaging to its lovely innovative applicator.  It feels light on lips and despite being very similar to lip gloss in consistency it is not sticky at all. The oily shine vanishes after a few hours leaving a nice looking pink tint. It is extremely moisturising and great choice for people who suffer with dry lips or for really cold weather. You can apply several coats for more intense colour but not at once, give it a bit time to set because it is very... well oily. Make sure to close it until you hear a click or it will leak. It is very costly (cca $32).

Oils used in this product: Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil/Apricot Kernel Oil, Alumina, Passiflora Edulis Oil/Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Oil/Coriander Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Oil/Jojoba Seed Oil. 

YSL definitely wins in the packaging department but performance wise there is no to slight difference between these oil tints so I say go for the budget ones. They all look and feel very similar on the lips with Korean ones being a bit more pigmented.

Liquid Lipsticks

My liquid lipsticks: Korres Liquid Lipstick in #56 Red, #13 Soft Pink, #28 Berry; Jouer Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick in lychee, the Blam Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Charming and Adoring, Studio 10 Longlast Velvet Liquid Lips in Tearose, CLIO Virgin Kiss Silkuid Lips in 02 Cheshire, the SAEM Eco Soul Velvet Lip Mousse in PK 02 Pink Bear, Missha Painting Rouge Syrup in SBE01, Innisfree Vivid Tint Rouge in #10 Faded Rose

Liquid lipsticks tend to be really pigmented and are usually rather long lasting. They come in variety of finishes: creamy/satiny finish, matte finish and glossy finish. Their packaging is usually in a tube with a sponge applicator. Basically what you get is a pigmentation of a lipstick with a gloss like application. Liquid lipsticks seem to be hugely popular these days, and perfect thing about them is that they can be super long lasting and non transferable, but on the down side some of them can emphasise every single issue you have with your lips and can be very drying. But if you are going for a vampy red lip that looks perfect and lasts and lasts, nothing beats a liquid lipstick in achieving that. 

Swatches of lipsticks and their staying power after being wiped (not gently)

1-3. Korres Raspberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipsticks in Red (bright tomato red with micro shimmer), Soft Pink (beige pink with micro shimmer) and Berry (bright berry with micro shimmer)-  my first ever liquid lipsticks. 

What does Korres say: A cooling, water-based liquid lip color Combines the creamy texture of lip gloss with the long-lasting, brilliant finish of lipstick Contains Raspberry and Pomegranate extracts that are rich in antioxidant. Shields lips against free-radical damage while smoothing lip lines. Blended with Acai Palm Pulp Oil for relieving and hydrating benefits. Creates a suppler and younger looking pout.

My thoughts: These are very comfortable and smooth, they feel like a gloss on the lips, moist and light without being sticky. Their longevity is not bad at all but they are transferable so if you eat and drink or kiss they will be gone. These are very forgiving of imperfections on lips as they don't emphasize them. These are creamy and contain very subtle micro shimmer. I really like Soft Pink one I should start wearing it more. 

4. Jouer Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick in lychee (matt cool dusty rose) 

What does Jouer say: This weightless, long-wear liquid lipstick offers full coverage color with a soft-touch finish that glides on smoothly and lasts all day.

My Thoughts: Formula has that moussey/whipped cream texture that is very soft and goes on easily on the lips. These are very pigmented and one layer will give you a full coverage. Once it dries it becomes very matt and does not budge (they are transfer proof), compared to most matte liquid lipsticks these are rather comfortable but still feel a bit drying towards the end of the day. They last  good 8 hours with minimal fading if you eat. All in all an excellent matte liquid lipstick.  These are rather costly and available on Cult Beauty. 

5-6. the Blam Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Charming (rich mauve) and Adoring (merlot)

What does the Balm say: This long-wearing formula has a comfortable matte finish with no commitment issues. These matte vanilla mint liquid lipsticks are stuck on you without feeling clingy!

My thoughts: My favorite matte liquid lipsticks. They don't dry down completely so they do transfer a bit but they are very, very comfortable and not drying at all. They are easy to apply and because they don't dry down completely they can be touched up if there is a need. Charming is darker mauve color and Adoring is a perfect dark red lipstick. 

7.Studio 10 Longlast Velvet Liquid Lips in Tearose (creamy beige rose) - a beautiful nude colour 

What does Studio 10 say: Longlast Velvet Liquid Lips has a demi-matte, long-wearing formula that glides on effortlessly to cloak your lips with gorgeously flattering, low-maintenance colour. With conditioning vitamin E and an antioxidant complex, this nutritive lip elixir is kind to your delicate skin – locking in precious moisture whilst warding against the ageing effects of free radicals – so your lips not only look voluptuous, but feel smooth, hydrated and protected from the elements. 

My thoughts: A satin finish liquid lipstick with a smooth formula that applies easily. It never sets completely so despite being long lasting it is transferable. It does not emphasise lip creases or bleed. A really solid lip product. Available for purchase on Cult Beauty.

8. CLIO Virgin Kiss Silkuid Lips in 02 Cheshire (bright marsala) 

What does CLIO say: Liquid silky texture that covers lips smoothly. Weightless silky new material type fits lips lightly. Matt lips of sliding touch on lips with rich and vivid color. Long lasting fit when spread.

My thoughts: This has a very comfortable wear on the lips and goes on smooth. It is fully matte but never sets so it transfers. Only thing is if you want muted colours you will not find them here. Available for purchase on Jolse.

9. the SAEM Eco Soul Velvet Lip Mousse in PK 02 Pink Bear (warm pink)

What does the SAEM say:Lip mousse with soft and gentle touch to give elegant velvet lips. One touch gives vivid lip color with high fit powder for long lasting color.

My thoughts: It has thick mousse consistency and goes on lips smooth. The finish on lips is matte almost powdery feeling. Like you have put a thin layer of setting powder over your lips. It dries down completely and does not transfer on a glass for example but if you wipe it it is gone. It  feels a bit drying due to that powdery feel on the lips but really nothing major. This one needs lips in good condition to look good. Very affordable. Available for purchase on Jolse.

10. Missha Painting Rouge Syrup in SBE01 (warm beige pink)

What does Missha say:  Light formula. Clear color. Vitalizes and supplies moist to lips. Syrup coating polymer gives lips shine like glass bead. Rosemary Oil, Olive Oil supply nutrient and moisture to lips. Lasts long with just one touch.Dual slip-fit tip made for curve of lips. Syrup Polymer - Adherability + Gloss + Volume

My thoughts: This one reminds me a lot of Korres Liquid Lipsticks with a slightly thicker formula. It has a very moisturising, almost wet feel on lips. It is very pigmented and glossy without being sticky. This formula is very forgiving and suitable for dry or chapped lips as it will "gloss" over any dryness or flakiness. Due to its formula it never sets and it it easily transferable but it does stain the lips, leaving a nice stain behind. Very affordable. Available for purchase on Jolse.

11. Innisfree Vivid Tint Rouge in #10 Faded Rose (marsala rose) - I'm thinking I should have included this one in lip tints post. Oh well here it is. 

What does Innisfree say: Vivid pigmentation. Light wearing like wearing nothing! Enriched moisturizing with MOISTURE HOLDING TECHNOLOGY, camellia oil and shea butter. Hybrid lip for applying texture evenly on lips.

My thoughts: This one fells like nothing on lips.It goes on glossy but it is not sticky at all or greasy feeling, very comfortable to wear and moisturising. The colour is strong and more intense than on the packaging. It fades slowly and evenly leaving behind a nice looking tint. Available for purchase on ibbi store. 

Tint my lips

Lipt tints or lip stains are a staple of Korean style makeup. Usually they are used to achieve a gradient lip look. Tints are also awesome because they are usually very long lasting and easy to apply and also very versatile, you can go from natural to full blown glamour just by using one lip tint. They are also a godsend for us who like to talk a lot and are too lazy to reapply our lip products. 

My lip tint collection

They come in matte or glossy finishes and in various formats like water tints, gel tints, creamy tints and oil tints. I usually like to apply liptint on top of a lip balm by putting little product in the centre of lips and blending it out with a finger. It gives a more natural look. I first encountered tints when I was gifted a Benefit gift set that contained posie tint, which you can use on cheeks and lips, and I fell in love. I still love Benefit tints especially cha cha tint. When I discovered Korean beauty, I entered a lip tint heaven, there was a sea of lip tints to choose from for a fraction of a price. With tints more expensive is not necessarily better. Korean road shops (price equivalent of drugstores) do awesome tints. There is something for everyone. As i have quite a rich lip tint collection I thought it would be interesting to go through them.
Now I am going to take this slow and go by brand and swatch them over time, as they stain the skin and you cannot do more than one set of swatches per arm.
So to kick off  "Tint my lips" series here are the first tints of the bunch.


 Laneige Water Drop Tints 

Laneige and Benefit tints - subtle and comfortable

Laneige Water Drop Tints are some of my favorite for natural look. They are not the most pigmented or the most long lasting but are really comfortable on the lips and leave a subtle stain. Darker colours leave more of a stain. They are a bit sticky when applied (nothing bothersome really) and are easy to reapply as they come in a thicker creamy format. They come with a really good sponge applicator and are easy to blend and manipulate. You do not need to be skilled to use this.

1. Fuchsia Pink (No.3); 2. Neon Pink (No.2); 3. Rose Mauve (No.4)

Lanegie tints leave a very subtle stain

Benefit Tints

1. posie tint; 2. cha cha tint

Benefit Tints are kiss proof and long lasting. They leave a stain behind and can be used as blushes too (you better work quickly because they dry fast). They are neither sticky nor drying. The colour in the bottle is more of a hint what colour your lips will be because it is more like a blush of color on lips. They are another good choice for natural look lovers.  Applicator comes in a form of a brush that looks like a nail polish brush. Not so easy to control if you are going for gradient look as they come in a form of a thick creamy liquid.

Stain that Benefit tints leave behind

So I did subtle but I'll end this post with a bang:


Tony Moly Liptone Tints

Tony Moly LIPTONE TINTS

Tony Moly Liptone Tints are some of the most pigmented and longlasting tints on the market. You can use them for a natural look (just a smidgen of tint blended on lips) for gradient lip or for a full blown in your face lip colour. These babies are so hard core they will survive a greasy hamburger. They go on slightly glossy but dry down fast. Mind you, like with most tints use a lip balm first and if your lips are dry and flakey apply a lip scrub prior to using any lip tint because tints will just emphasise all the dryness and flakiness. GET IT TINT line comes in an attractive packaging reminiscent of a nail polish bottle. Tint itself is somewhat thicker than water which make them easier to use than regular water tints. It comes with a nice sponge applicator. GET IT TINT WATERBAR comes in a form of lipstick but turns slightly watery when in contact with skin. It dries instantly, you really have no time to work with them or to mess up as it is very unforgiving. It is matt and a bit drying on the lips. Waterbars look really nice as full lip colour. 

1. Get it Tint HD in 03 Peach Punch; 2. Get it Tint in 04 Red Hot; 3. Get it Tint in 03 Play Orange;
4. Get it Tint Waterbar in 05 Plum in Purple; 5.  Get it Tint Waterbar in  04 Red in Red

This is the stain they leave behind  after wiping it away

Laneige and Tony Moly lip tints can be bought on ebay, Jolse or in a store if you are lucky and live in a country that has stores that carry these brands (not me).  

Trying new stuff: Laneige Water Bank trial kit

Laneige is a Korean beauty brand that falls at the middle to high end spectrum of affordability. It is probably most well known internationally for its BB cushions and Two Tone Tint Lip Bars. Laneige means snow and the company says for itself “ LANEIGE was born as a brand committed to help women achieve clear, radiant skin like snow.“ I wanted to test some of Laneige skincare as I have their sleeping packs and lip mask (which I love) but I did not want to commit to a full sized product just yet. Water Bank line is their moisturising line and it is good, there really were no duds in the kit. The trial kit itself contains enough products for at least two weeks of good use once a day. The kit comes with the following products:

Water Bank Eye Gel ( 3ml)


Laneige says: Vitamin and nutrient gel for the eyes, 24-hour moisturizing eye gel for stressed skin around the eyes


Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylate-13, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, PCA Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclomethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyisobutene, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance


My thoughts: a gel cream formula that is very hydrating. Takes couple of minutes to sink in. But my concealer went on nicely afterwards and it kept my eye area moisturised all day. I am thinking of buying a full size.




Water Bank Essence EX (10 ml)


Laneige says: Loved by women across Asia, Laneige's signature moisturizing essence awakens natural moisturizing agents in the skin for 24-hour moisturized skin and smoother skin texture.


Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dimethicone, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Tribehenin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Tillandsia Usneoides Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Fruit Extract, Dimethiconol, Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Carrageenan, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propylene Glycol, PCA Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance


My thoughts: Very thick for an essence but turns watery on skin. It really is very moisturising and it sinks in nicely. I prefer my essences to be less cream like so I will not go for full size. Someone with very dry skin would love this.




Water Bank Gel Cream EX (10 ml)


Lanegie says: Ultimate Hydration!  Activate moisturizing genes to increase the production of NMFs. Thoroughly moisturizing care from the 20th layer to the skin surface


Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide 3, Acetyl Glucosamine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cyclomethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Stearic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisiloxane, Palmitic Acid, Phenyl Methicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polysorbate 20, Polysilicone-11, Polyacrylate-13, Polyethylene, Polyisobutene, Propylene Glycol, Peg-100 Stearate, Peg-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Peg/Ppg-20/15 Dimethicone, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance


My thoughts: A gel cream that goes on really smoothly. Takes a bit to dry down and sink in. Very lightweight. Good choice for someone with combo/oily skin. Will not buy it as I prefered the feel and texture of the other cream in the kit.




Water Bank Moisture Cream EX (10 ml)


Lanegie says: The Moisturizing Biogene technology of Laneige strengthens the supply of natural moisturizing factors inside the skin and makes the skin moistfull all day through this Water Bank Cream


Ingredients: Purified water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane,  Dicaprylyl Ether, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sucrose Polystearate, Cyclohexasiloxane ,  Glyceryl Stearate, Urea, Quinoa seed extract, Glasswort extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium chloride, Zinc sulfate,  Sodium Hyaluronate , Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Copper tripeptide -1, Ceramide 3, Phytosphingosine , Niacinamide, Myristyl Myristate, Glyceryl Yaounde Silinate, Acetylglucosamine, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Tocopherol, Propanediol, Stearic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Trisiloxane, Palmitic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Propylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Acrylate/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-5 rapeseed sterol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA,  Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Herbs


My thoughts:I loved this. The texture and feel of this cream on skin was really pleasant. Kept my skin well moisturised during really cold weather and constant central heating. It is lightweight, gentle but deeply moisturising at the same time. Played well with both sunscreen and makeup. When I use up my plethora of creams I will definitely buy this. My favourite product in the kit.


Although a trial kit is usually given as gift with purchase and it is not for sale, you can buy them on ebay and in web based Asian beauty stores. I bought mine in  IBuyBeauty web store for $3.00.
My exploration of Laneige will continue with White Plus Renew Trial Kit. I am looking forward to that.

Cushion Collection

My curated cushion collection. After giving away some of my cushions this is what I have left. Mind you some of those are empty, some I have because I love the case (Missha Betty Boop and Wonder Woman limited edition ones).
Cushion makeup has spread to to west as well but if you are wondering what cushion foundations/bb are they are base makeup housed in an easily portable case. Case or compact houses a sponge saturated with liquid foundation/bb cream (cushion) and comes with a rubycell sponge applicator. Cushions are usually of light to medium coverage and have incorporated skincare benefits together with makeup. They are very practical to carry around and among the quickest and easiest ways to apply your base makeup when going to work. But be forewarned there is a little bit of  a Pokemon effect with them and you can find yourself wanting to get and try them all.

Quick Review of Cushions:

High End Cushions
Those are more expensive but come with a refill so in the end they don't come out that much more expensive than those of road shop brands. Their packaging is usually  more classy and sophisticated than cute.

Going from top left to bottom right they are:

1. Laneige BB Cushion Whitening in No. 13 Ivory  - I would recommend this one to people with normal to dry skin. It is moisturizing and gives a glowy finish. Easy to apply and quite long lasting but transfers a bit unless powdered. it had light to medium coverage and it does not oxidize.  How much I love it: We are more than friends 3.5/5

2. IOPE Air Cushion Moisture Lasting in N21- feels like nothing on the skin and applies like a dream. Gives this beautiful healthy dewy finish to skin and perfects it. Does not oxidize at all. Wears for 6/7 hours on my skin before starting to slowly fade. Coverage is light to medium but buildable. How much I love it: It 's true love 4.5/5

3. Laneige BB Cushion Anti-aging No. 13 Ivory - Hello Holy Grail of Cushions! This stuff is awesome. Beautiful natural satin finish that adheres to skin like it is part of it. Good medium coverage that evens out and perfects skin and wears for good 6 hours before starting to fade a little. Does not transfer or oxidize. I don't know what is it about this one but it is like magic on my skin. How much I love it: I adore it 5/5 😍

4. Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion in 13 - This has this slightly medicinal herbs hanbang smell that I love. It is light to medium coverage that builds really well without going cakey. It is very lightweight and feels like nothing while giving this gorgeous natural dewy finish on skin. It wears really well too. How much I love it: We are pretty much married 5/5 😍

5. Hera UV Mist Cushion Ultra Moisture in 21 - This smells expensive, however the perfume is quite intense and lingers for some 30 minutes so if you are sensitive to smells this might not be right for you. It has natural looking satin finish and sets without powder and does not transfer during the day. Coverage is light to medium and buildable. Although it says moisture in the name it does not add moisture but looks in moisture already there. I think all skin types could use it. How much I love it: It's true love 4.5/5

6. LIRIKOS Marine Collagen Cushion LX in 17 - This one also has this expensive make up smell. It is new addition to my collection but so far so good. Nice medium coverage, it evens out my skintone and perfects my skin (pores are less visible) and is buildable without being cakey. First on it is rather dewy than sets into this semi dewy finish. After some 5 hours of wear it could do with a little pick up around the nose. It wears well and evenly but does not control oil well. How much I love it: It is love 4/5

7. ATRUE Real Black Tea True Active CC Cushion in No.1 - I have not used that for a while. It is really light, perfect for all light skinned ladies who have trouble finding light enough products but because coverage is really light I could make it work for me. Although coverage is light it does balance out any redness on skin. Finnish is semi dewy and longevity is really good. It is a perfect product for faking I have no makeup on my face thing. How much I love it: We like each other just fine 3/5

8. Luna Water Essence Founpact in 21 - It really is not a cushion. It is more like cream foundation but packaged same as a cushion foundation. I love this. Very good coverage and perfecting of skin (makes pores less visible). It is not cakey and longevity is good, only bad thing about it is that it transfers like nobody's business, setting it with powder fixes this. It just makes my skin look good.
How much I love it: It is love 4/5

Road shop/affordable cushions 
They come without a refill, but usually refills can be bought separately. They range from cutsy to classy looking and everything inbetween.  

Going from top left to bottom right they are:


9/10. Missha M Magic Cushion Moisture in 21 - (Wonder Woman limited edition and Betty Boop limited edition - yes i bought them just for the packaging)  - Not the lightest cushion out there. Goes on really light but settles into normal colour after few minutes. First on it is very glowy almost wet but after some time it turns into this natural skin glow unless powdered. It evens out my skin tone and has medium coverage (a smidge less coverage than regular version). It feels comfortable on the skin but unless powdered it will transfer if touched. How much I love it: We are OK 3/5

11. Missha M Magic Cushion in 21 (regular) - went on easy with a slight gray cast and looking very light almost whitish, this vanishes after a few minutes I guess it oxidises and turns to its normal colour. Finnish is semi-matte and sets rather fast. It has good medium coverage. On my normal skin staying power is rather good, with first wear and tear showing around the nose in 5 hours. People with dry and flaky skin might not like it as this formula might accentuate dry patches. When I compare it to my other cushions it is slightly heavy feeling on skin. How much I love it: I think I outgrew it  2.5/5


12. April Skin Magic Snow Cushion in 21 - This one has the highest coverage of all my cushions, it goes on wet but sets and does not budge come rain or come shine. Sounds good, does it not? But, and it is a big but,it forms a waxy film on the skin makes me look cakey, like I have a death mask and feels like that too. Also it makes my pores more prominent and that's a no, no. How much I love it: I am still trying to make it work but it looks like we are heading for a divorce 1.5/5

13. Etude House Precious Mineral Any Cushion Light Pearl Aura- This one is almost used up, and I really enjoyed it and of course The Light Pearl Aura version is no longer available. It was glowy had nice light to medium coverage, sat well on skin. And lasted quite a long time for such a dewy product. If it became available again I would buy a refill for sure. How much I love it: We were more than friends 3.5/5

14. A'PIEU Wonder Tension Pact Moist in 21 - This is really good. It looks just like my skin but better. It goes on smoothly. Moist version has medium coverage, it evens out and perfects my skin and it nicely covered my red nose (I have a bad cold). It has this nice healthy glow but does not transfer and lasts for some 5 hours before fading nicely and evenly. It runs a bit light though. Shade 21 is perfect for me it is the exact colour of my skin. The little mesh makes it easy to control the amount you take on your applicator which is a plus. How much I love it: I adore it 5/5 😍

15. Missha The Original Tension Pact Perfect Cover in 13 - There are days when this looks perfect on my skin and then there are days it looks a bit cakey. I am still trying to find the best way to wear it. When it works the finish is perfect even skin with slight dewy finish. it is lightweight and adheres to skin really well without oxidizing. Coverage is buildable medium to full. How much I love it: It is promising 3/5 for now.

16. Etude House Real Powder Cushion in Natural Beige - I bought this as my foundation for the worst summer period  when the weather is disgustingly hot and humid. It has nice coverage and when applied in a thin layer it dries to a matte powdery finish. The thing i did not like is that it made my pores look bigger but it held up fine in really hot sweaty weather with minimal fading and breaking down around the nose. I really dislike when base makeup highlights my pores, it annoys me. I will try it some more this summer and if we still don't see eye to eye it will be time to say goodbye. How much I love it: I am still trying to make it work but it looks like we are heading for a divorce 1.5/5


Oh boy that was a lot to write. My conclusion is my skin has bloody expensive taste in cushion foundations as I seem to prefer the high end ones. My skin is a snob. 

Revival of toners

For a long time toners were mostly a forgotten step of many skincare routines. In the west they were the last step of your cleansing, and if you were a teenager or had oily skin they were astringent and loaded with alcohol and did no favours to you skin. It is a step most people simply skipped because they could not be bothered or were not sure why it’s needed and how it really benefits the skin. I was no better. However, when I got into Asian beauty and tried their toners things changed. These days toner is an essential part of my routine and something I cannot go without.

My toner wardrobe

Why do we need toners?

The purpose of toners is to replenish and nourish the skin after removing makeup and cleansing because even if you use a gentle cleanser it will still somewhat strip your skin. But worry not! Toner is here to make it all better.

Hydrating toner with its light consistency that can be absorbed easily can quickly provide your skin antioxidants as well as soothing and hydrating ingredients. Acidic toner will balance your skin and it also can serve as the last step in your cleansing routine. A good toner will help your skin look healthier and more radiant.

Acid based toners

Exfoliating toners and balancing toners are acid based and they can be the last step in your cleansing routine. They are formulated to gently exfoliate the skin and usually contain either AHA or BHA acids (or both) and are a good choice for people with congested or oily skin as they can help with keeping your pores cleaner thus making them appear smaller (always a good thing). They are especially useful if you still use alkaline cleansers (those with pH 7 and above) as acidic toner will quickly lower your skin's pH to its naturally acidic level and also help prepare your skin for pH depending treatments or rest of your skincare.

How to use: Apply with cotton pad after cleansing by gently sweeping it all over face and neck, avoiding the eye area

I love using exfoliating toners in the summer when my skin gets a bit oily and is more prone to congestion, though in winter I sometimes skip them.

Products: Pixi Glow Tonic, Bravura London Exfoliating Toners, Mizon Aha and BHA Daily Clean Toner, COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Hydrating toners

Hydrating toners are an essential part of Asian beauty routine and west is catching on. They are used immediately after cleansing or after an acidic toner. Besides giving skin a quick shot of hydration and other goodies like antioxidants and amino acids it will provide the foundation for the rest of your skin care. All your products that you layer after will absorb better. You can use them even if you have oily skin; every skin type can and should use them.

How to use: Forget cotton pads as you just waste product with them. Pour some toner in your palm and pat it onto your skin.

Products: Enprani Dear by Moistful Booskin Toner, COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner, Innisfree Ginger Oil Skin,Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water